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This is the loaded sawn-off shotgun found in the back of a taxi after raid near Newcastle Airport

Two men have been jailed for possessing the deadly weapon which was found in their possession following a raid at a garage

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by Rob Kennedy

21:00, 10 Sep 2018Updated13:48, 10 Sep 2018

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Loaded sawn-off shotgun found inside taxi(Image: CPS)

Stashed in the back of a taxi, this is the loaded sawn-off shotgun found in the possession of two men minutes after a raid on an airport garage.

When burglars struck at the Shell garage and stole valuables, police were alerted and pulled over a taxi carrying the culprits.

Officers were shocked to see the shotgun in pieces in the rear footwell, loaded with a cartridge.

Karl Glendenning and Simon Boyle admitted possessing the firearm while Glendenning also admitted burgling the garage and a series of unrelated charges, including stealing a man’s car after kicking him out of it.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was around 1.30am on February 6 when Glendenning, Boyle and Stephen Palmer went to the filling station near Newcastle Airport, intending to steal cigarettes and alcohol.

Loaded sawn-off shotgun(Image: CPS)

Michael Hodson, prosecuting, said: “The garage was open but the door was closed while the attendant took a break and was easily pulled open.

“They went around picking up items. Nobody was present when they went in.

“Alcohol, sandwiches and other items worth £168 were taken.”

The court heard it was Glendenning and Palmer who went into the Shell shop while Boyle stayed in the taxi.

Mr Hodson said: “Airport police were alerted and the taxi was stopped on the way back to town.”

A female police officer who approached the cab said: “I looked through the rear off-side window and saw what I thought was the handle of a double-barrelled shotgun.”

Karl Glendenning(Image: Police handout)

She shouted to her colleague: “Be careful, I think they have a gun” and they backed away.

The men were arrested after a struggle and the unfortunate cabbie also found himself taken to the police station for a time despite being innocent.

Mr Hodson said: “A double-barrelled shotgun was in the near rear side footwell, sticking out from under the seat. It was loaded with a cartridge.”

A judge said he accepted the gun was not intended to be used in the raid at the Shell garage.

Then, on October 5, Glendenning and Bradley Fraser went to a man’s house and demanded his car key. He refused but agreed to give them a lift.

Glendenning then kicked off and started demanding money from someone else and threw a metal frame at a door.

When the man who had given him a lift said he was leaving, Glendenning said: “If you drive off I’m going to set your house on fire with you and your bairn in then I’m going to hang him upside down and slit his throat in front of you.”

Glendenning’s grandmother calmed him down and he got back into the car.

Stephen Palmer, 36, of Moorview Crescent, Cowgate, was dealt with at a previous hearing. He admitted burglary of the filling station, possessing a bladed article and damaging a police vehicle and was jailed for 18 months.

Adam Birkby, for Glendenning, said he apologises to the man whose car he took.

He added: “He was out of control over this period and he clearly has significant issues with alcohol and drugs.”